THE DARK SIDE: Truth, Unity...& Compromise! Conclusion

THE DARK SIDE: Truth, Unity...& Compromise! Conclusion
Brad Reiches
Jan 4 2007 10:51PM

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Friday, January 5, 2006
GodThoughtsWired!

The Purpose Driven Life, by Dr. Rick Warren has become a global influential.  It's impact transcends the Church community as a significant portion of both the secular and the religious communities have embraced it.  Indeed, The Purpose Driven Life has become one of the best selling non-fiction books in the history of the universe, second only to the Bible.  As  reviewed last week, I have benefitted from this book in many ways, however, it is now time to examine Warren's work in light of scripture, to be like the Bereans (see Acts 17:11), and only "hold fast to that which is good" (see 1 Thess. 5:20-21).  This week:  "The Dark Side of...The Purpose Driven Life."

THE DARK SIDE OF...
"The Purpose Driven Life"

PART 3 CONCLUSION :  Truth, Unity & Compromise 

"Do you suppose that I came to grant peace

on the earth?  I tell you, no, but rather division...

Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth;

I did not come to bring peace, but a sword."

Luke 12:51; Matthew 10:34

Jesus came to bring peace on the inside and division on the outside.  When the Old Testament refers to God as Jehovah Shalom, "the God of peace," it is a reference to the "inner-peace" that God provides as a part of the "abundant life" and "prosperity of the soul" (see John 10:10; Psalm 25:13) that is offered to those who receive Him.  Jesus makes it clear:

"These things I have spoken to you,

that in Me you may have peace,

In the world you have tribulation, but take

courage; I have overcome the world."

John 16:33

Do you see it?  Peace on the inside, conflict on the outside.  "All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12).  Not "might"...WILL!  That tells me that if a "follower of Christ" lives an entire lifetime without conflict or turmoil because of his or her beliefs, then they have compromised the truth somewhere along the line.  Jesus said, "If the world hates Me they will also hate you" (see John 15:19-20).  That tells me that if a pastor or preacher or Christian teacher is loved by the world (which many are today), then they are preaching what Jesus calls a "different gospel."

"For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for gain, and from the prophet even to the priest everyone deals falsely.  And they have healed the brokenness of My people superficially saying, 'Peace, peace, but there is no peace.  Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done?  They were not even ashamed at all; they did not even know how to blush" Jeremiah 6:14, bold mine; see also, Jeremiah 8:11; 23:17; Ezekiel 13:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:3).